As the year draws to a close, we find ourselves reflecting on the profound and often humbling experiences of those we’ve been privileged to support at Waipuna Hospice. One such experience is that of Howard Strahan, who, along with his wife Lois, faced a journey that none of us can truly prepare for. Their friendship runs deep, and it’s clear how much they enjoy working side by side for a cause that means so much to them both. It’s also a time to honour Jim’s late wife, Joy, who passed away 12 years ago after battling bowel cancer and receiving the compassionate care of Waipuna Hospice.
“I can’t praise them enough,” Jim says, his voice filled with gratitude. “They took such good care of Joy. At first, they would come visit us at home, then the nurses noticed she wasn’t coping well and arranged for her to go into hospice where they made sure she was as comfortable as possible. She was in a very sunny room, and I visited her every day.”
It’s this care that inspires Jim to give back. “Waipuna’s care is something I will certainly never forget. Even after Joy passed, they were still there to support me with counselling which was a great help.”
After Joy’s death, Jim moved in with his son for a few years, and then settled at Radius Matua, the retirement village where he now lives. It was there that he and Klara first decided to get involved with Waipuna Hospice.
“It was Christmas 2018,” Klara recalls. “We were preparing for our Christmas celebrations, and we started talking about the different charities we liked to support. That’s when Waipuna Hospice came up. Jim shared his story, and we all agreed it was a cause worth supporting.”
In 2019, as part of a community initiative they call the 12 Acts of Christmas, Jim and Klara decided to volunteer for the Waipuna Hospice Remembrance Tree campaign. They’ve been volunteering every year since, helping to raise funds for Waipuna Hospice by offering the community a space to remember their loved ones. “It’s a small thing we can do, but it feels good to be part of something so meaningful,” says Klara.
For Jim, it’s more than just volunteering; it’s a way to keep Joy’s memory alive and to support the same service that was there for them when they needed it most. He finds it deeply rewarding to stand by the tree each year and not only hear people’s stories but share his story with those who come by.
For Klara, the most rewarding part of volunteering is hearing those stories. “When people stop to leave a message or make a donation, they often share their memories with us. I love hearing about the people they’re remembering. It’s such a special way to connect, especially during the holiday season.”
The two-hour shifts they do each year make a real difference. “Two hours isn’t much time to donate to a cause that could help you one day,” says Klara. “We’ve seen so many residents and their families benefit from the support of Waipuna Hospice. We’re lucky to have them in our community, and we want to do our part to ensure others can receive the same care if they need it.”
For Jim, it’s a way to give back to the organisation that supported him and his wife in their time of need. “The care they gave Joy was wonderful, and I am proud to give back and support them every Christmas.”
As the 2024 Remembrance Tree campaign comes to a close, Jim and Klara reflect on another year of volunteering, knowing they’ve made a difference in their own way. Their story is a testament to the power of friendship, the importance of giving, and the lasting impact of the compassionate care Waipuna Hospice provides.
If you didn’t get a chance to visit a Remembrance Tree this year, you can still donate online and call us for a tag you can place on your tree at home. You can do this in memory of a loved one. It’s not too late to honour them, and every donation helps us continue providing support to our community.
We want to say a huge thank you to Jim and Klara for sharing their story with us, and for their years of volunteer support.
If you’ve been inspired by their story and would like to volunteer to help at a future hospice collection please email fundraising@waipunahospice.org.nz and we will register your interest.
This story was originally published in our newsletter, Waipuna Connections – Issue 88. Click here to subscribe.